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air compressor

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Lin

Lin

Jedi Knight
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Hi folks,
I received my new air compressor today. Ingersoll Rand Electric Stationary Air Compressor — 5 HP, 18.1 CFM @ 90 PSI, 230 Volt, Model# SS5L5 60 lb. tank.

Directions say to bolt to the floor. I have a brand new garage floor with brand new professional epoxy paint job. I will drill holes in the floor if I must, but is there no other alternative? This is the first compressor I have ever had - always done it the hard way - you know wire brush in a drill, and turn those spanners, so this is all new territory for me.

Is it an absolute no-no to put heavy duty hard rubber casters WITH LOCKS on the feet of the compressor? I would then safety strap the tank to the wall since these things do appear to be a little top heavy.

Your thoughts and admonishments please.

Lin
 
You might be able to get away with some industrial machine leveling pads. Generally, they are reasonably thick rubber with a long enough shank to accommodate an irregular floor. Look for them at McMaster Carr's website.
 
We have a 7.5 hp upright at work, all we did was cut the pallet down that it came bolted to, this allows us to empty the water catch pan beneath it when we drain it(daily). It hasn't moved in 1 1/2 years. Don't think you'll have any problems. Genos2
 
At home I've got my compressor (similar in size to yours) bolted to a pad, but where I work, we have a larger one mounted to a wooden pallet. I supppose when the OSHA guy comes around we'll get gigged, but it has been fine for 6 months. We do have it plumbed with a flex line to the hard lines that go around the shop. I'm all for over-engineering things, save for when it really isn't necessary.
 
How many people in this thread live in earthquake zones? Looks like 2 (excluding me 'cause I don't have a compressor :wink: ).
 
Believe it or not, we have earthquakes in Ohio. Nothing like the 4.2 I experienced when living in San Francisco though.
 
Lin said:
Your thoughts and admonishments please.
Click to expand...

HI Lin,

Good choice on the compressor. Personally, I am not fond of big reservoir tanks. They just take longer to fill.

I would NOT bolt your new compressor to the floor. Remember, you are probably going to be moving B4 long.

Compressors vibrate and make noise and your 60 Gal tank, will only radiate more noise, but if you bolt the feet to the floor, the vibration will be transmitted to the floor and you may hear it all over the house.

What I would do is to either;

1) bolt the compressor to a hardwood pallet so that there is some springy, wooden vibration dampning, suspension under the compresssor feet OR

2) cut 6" x 6" hardood squares (laminate to a couple of inches thick) and bolt one to each foot.

EITHER way, then go to McMaster-Carr and search for "Vibration Dampning Pads" and put AT LEAST one under each corner of the pallet or under the wooden feet.

If you put the compressor up onto isomode pads it will not walk around.

If you decide to plumb your workspace with multiple outlets, always install a piece of hose between the compressor and the hard line plumbing that is bolted to the wall.

If the noise is a problem, you can wrap the compressor tank with a fiberglass sleeve made for a hot water heater to help stifle the noise.

The tank won't cool as well, but I can give you multiple suggestions for air line coolers. You MUST have cool, dry, air for your accessories and tools.

Tim
 
I have an upright Sears compressor and it came with skids and wheels, enabling me to tilt & roll it as needed. Sounds like you may need to bolt yours to a pad or pallet as some have suggested. Strapping to a wall is a good belt and suspenders solution, but probably not necessary. Those instructions are written by the manufacturer's legal department, not engineers.
 
I finally got a small compressor last year. I found it useful for removing the transmission, but most of the time I can't fit the standard impact gun where I need it. Even the ratchet type 90 degree wrench is difficult to fit in a lot of places. I use my 40 year old Craftsman hand socket set or individual open-end/box wrenches more often than not.
 
I'd love to have a big compressor like that. It's on my wish list, but I need to finish a project to make enough room in the Garage to be able to install it.

As to wrenches, I'm a fan of the old school. But that beign said, if you haven't tried those new gear wrenches, then you are totally missing out. They're brilliant!

Jody
 
I did without a compressor for years, I have a air ratchet now, but have hardly ever used it, guess I have just been a hand tool guy for too long, love the little air blaster thing though, blasts away dust, peeling paint, dries things out and blows water out of nooks and crannies. That and the air cutter get the most use, but I am doing a lot of bodywork lately.
 
glemon said:
I did without a compressor for years
Click to expand...

I used to tell my dad that there were two tools that I don't know how I grew up without.

1) An air compressor

2) A floor jack.

I've made sure that my daughter and 2 sons have both.

Tim
 
Thanks to everyone who responded. I am going to mount some adjustable shock absorbing feet on the bottom of two pieces of 4 x 4 and then bolt the compressor to the wood 4 x 4. This will allow me to be sure the unit is level, and I will be able to slide a drip pan under the unit easily. Then I will turn it on and see if it wants to "walk." If it does, I will put a strap around it, but I will wait on that until I see what it happens.

Again. Thanks everyone. I really did not want to drill the holes in the floor! The purchasers comments of this particular unit call it especially quiet, but I will reserve judgment until I see it in action.

Lin
 
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